Another prominent liberal figure with clout in Brussels, Luxembourg’s former prime minister and current Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel, is not interested in the post either, a source close to Bettel told Euractiv.

Despite weeks of speculation due to Kallas’ popularity among ALDE members, she has finally confirmed she will not take on the job.

“I have considered this proposal very thoroughly, and it has both pros and cons. But I have informed ALDE leadership of my decision not to take up the role,” Kallas said during the government’s regular Thursday press conference.

Instead of leading the liberals, Kallas prefers to remain in office as Estonia’s prime minister.

“It would be challenging to explain that I am a lead candidate, yet at the same time not running for the European Parliament”, she said, though the other EU political forces’ lead candidates will not run for an MEP seat either, except the Greens’.

She also highlighted her name being floated for the liberals’ lead candidate post and top jobs in the EU institutions is already a victory for Estonia and herself: “it’s likely a sign that we have done something well.”

Kallas, who was also floated for the EU’s high representative and the much-discussed new commissioner of defence post, affirmed that she still has a chance at such top jobs and that speculation in the Brussels bubble will not stop.

“Right now, I have made the decision to continue as prime minister. I cannot confirm that I will be prime minister forever, but I don’t think the speculation will end in any case. My name has been mentioned in different places,” she added.

Kallas popularity has risen amidst Russia’s war in Ukraine, and her unwavering support to the war-torn country.

“It says a lot about her commitment to a free Ukraine that she is on the Russians’ wanted list (…). Any high-profile personality who can contribute in the area of defence is an asset for Europe,” liberal MEP Moritz Körner, leader of Germany’s FDP delegation in the European Parliament, told Euractiv.

(Max Griera | Euractiv.com)

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Italy on the right track despite record-breaking public debt, says OECD expert

Italy’s record public debt – one of the highest debt-to-GDP ratios in the world – is not a cause for concern as the country is still on the right track, the OECD’s Director for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, Carmine di Niola, told Euractiv in an interview.